Convertible Personal Blanket

ABSTRACT

A convertible, body covering designed to collapse and adjust in performance and dimension, permitting a user to use it in one of a series of forms. When in an unfurled state, the article is comprised of an attached front and back body where the front is evenly divided by a connector component; left and right arm sleeves which are attached to the respective sides of the article; a head opening with an optional hood or pillow component affixed to the top of the article and a base affixed to a portion of the article&#39;s central body form that acts as an enclosure for securing the central body form of the article when folded. When in its adjusted state, the article folds onto itself and uses a plurality of connectors (including but not limited to zippers, buttons, clasps, etc.) to form one of a number of personal accessories, including but not limited to a pillow, sleeping bag, tote bag or back carrying bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/187,421, filed 1 Jul. 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by this reference.

REFERENCES CITED U.S. Patent Documents

-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,301A Anderson 3/1999 -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,374 B1 Thayer 6/2013

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to personal blankets, robes and sleeping bags useful as coverings for warmth and/or items for concealing the body.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Throughout the years, blankets and robes have been used for numerous purposes, including, protective barriers from the cold, body warmers and bed coverings. While useful in nature, both blankets and robes tend to require frequent repositioning, even when the user makes the slightest of moves. This constant adjusting can be a great nuisance and disruptive to the wearer. Additionally, blankets and robes can often be unwieldy in nature and comprised of a series of individual pieces, making them troublesome to neatly store and transport as well as hard to maintain in entirety.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Documents of related art describe articles intended to solve for the disadvantages of blankets and robes. Thayer (U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,374) provides a method for encapsulating the user's body. However, when in sleeping bag form, the described article does not provide the wearer with individual right and left sleeves, thus minimizing the user's ease of movement while in the article. Additionally, this article requires the wearer to maintain a series of detachable straps and blanket halves in order to use the article as a fully-encapsulating, body blanket or storage bag, thus resulting in a multi-piece invention, rather than an all-in-one, easy to maintain, article.

Anderson (U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,301) describes an article that transforms into a compact state and possesses integral carrying handles. While this article adjusts to allow for easy transportation, it fails to provide the wearer with a fully-encapsulating body blanket. Furthermore, while worn the article doesn't solve for the unwieldiness of blanket forms. Thus, users of the invention may be disrupted by the need to repeatedly adjust the item in order to keep it in place.

Accordingly, a need exists for a blanket or robe that can be easily converted to offer different utilities without being bulky, difficult to carry or comprised of distinct parts that can be easily separated or lost. A purpose of this article is to address the aforementioned disadvantages by providing a singularly-contained, secure, 3-dimensional article that provides full or substantially full coverage for the wearer's body (front, back and both the right and left sides) and adjusts in form to become a personal accessory item that acts as a storage and/or carrying solution. Uses for this article, when adjusted to its fully-unfurled state, include (but are not limited to): a full-body robe, personal cover for warmth or sleeping bag. Additionally, uses for this article, when adjusted to its folded, compact state include (but are not limited to): a decorative pillow, sleeping pillow, shoulder-carrying bag as well as a garment or back-carrying bag.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A multipurpose article that has blanket and robe forms (made from a multitude of materials), that are useful as full-body coverings for warmth and; through the use of connector components, folds and adjusts in form to stow away neatly for travel, storage and/or decorative purposes.

Included in illustrative embodiments of the multipurpose article are a number of distinct components, that may be combined to make overall enhancements to blanket and robe forms. These components include but are not limited to:

HOOD/PILLOW COMPONENT: The hood/pillow component is affixed to the back portion of the head-opening, located at the top of the central body FIG. 1, Item 1 and FIG. 3, Item 11. The purpose of this component is to act as a form of shelter for the wearer's head (when in hood form) or act as a pillow for resting the wearer's head upon (when in pillow form).

SLEEVE COVERINGS: Right and left sleeve coverings are attached to the central body form and run the full-length of the wear's arm FIG. 1, Items 3 and 4. The purpose of this component is to act as a form of shelter for the wear's right and left arms.

FRONT CONNECTOR COMPONENT: The front connector component FIG. 1, Item 6 runs along the front of the article—down the center of the central body form, from the head opening toward the attached base at the bottom of the article. Made from any known item in the industry, the purpose of this component is to seal and unseal the opening created by the left and right sides of the article's central body.

INTERIOR LINING: The interior lining FIG. 1, Item 8 uses connector components (such as but not limited to zippers, buttons, Velcro™, hook and loop fasteners, or snap fasteners) that close to create a sealed barrier around the folded central body form. The purpose of this component is to neatly store and conceal the central body form, when in its folded state and to act as a solid interior lining upon which to store items, while the article is in the adjusted form of a personal accessory (such as but not limited to a pillow, shoulder carrying bag or back carrying bag).

BASE CONNECTOR COMPONENT: The base connector component FIG. 1, Item 7 (shown as a zipper but can take on other forms such as but not limited to a series of buttons or series of snap fasteners) runs the full-perimeter of the article's attached base. The purpose of this component is to convert the folded, lining-sealed, body form into a personal accessory (such as but not limited to a pillow, shoulder carrying bag or back carrying bag).

CARRYING STRAP COMPARTMENT: The carrying strap compartments conceal the carrying straps FIG. 8, Items Ja and Jb (referenced in FIG. 8, Item F2) which are made from a multitude of materials and are either fully attached within the compartment or attached both within the compartment and along the side of the base. The purpose of this component is to provide a compartment in which the article's carrying straps can be attached and concealed within the article while in its various forms.

When combined, these enhancements result in a flexible, full-body, blanket-robe, made from a multitude of known materials (including but not limited to nylon, cotton, polyester, spandex, minky fabric, fleece and microfiber) that encapsulate the wear's body to provide warmth and surrounds the wear's head to provide additional protection or support. The article uses any known forms of connector components (such as but not limited to zippers, fasteners, buttons and Velcro™) and folds upon itself to transform into a personal accessory, garment or decorative item (such as but not limited to a pillow, shoulder carrying bag or back carrying bag) that allows for easy storage and transportation of itself along with other items. The article can also be made to include or exclude one or more of the above-described components, such as but not limited to the arm sleeve coverings and/or the hood/pillow component and/or the interior lining.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front-view drawing of an illustrative embodiment of the article in an unfurled state, with arm sleeves (FIG. 1, Items 3 and 4) and a hood component (FIG. 1, Item 1).

FIG. 2 is a back-view illustration of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front-view drawing of a variation on the illustrative embodiment of the article in an unfurled state with a pillow component (FIG. 3, Item 11) and without the arm sleeves (FIG. 1, Items 3 and 4) or the hood component (FIG. 1, Item 1).

FIG. 4 is the back-view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan-view illustration of FIG. 1 (or FIG. 3), with the central body form (FIG. 5, Item 5) in a folded state and placed under the interior lining (FIG. 5, Item 8).

FIG. 6 is a front-view illustration of FIG. 5 with the interior lining (FIG. 5, Item 8) sealed and the article base (FIG. 5, Item F) folded along the fold line (FIG. 5, FOLD) and sealed with the base connector component (FIG. 5, Item 7) to create a pillow form.

FIG. 7 is a side-view illustration of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is front-illustration view of FIG. 5 with the interior lining (FIG. 5, Item 8) sealed and the article base (FIG. 5, Item F) folded along the fold line (FIG. 5, FOLD) and sealed with the base connector component (FIG. 5, Item 7) to create a shoulder carrying bag with the article's longitudinal carrying straps—both the left (FIG. 8, Item L) and right (referenced in FIG. 8, Item F2)—concealed within the carrying strap compartments—on both the left (FIG. 8, Item Ja) and the right (referenced in FIG. 8, Item F2) sides of the article.

FIG. 9 is a front-view illustration of FIG. 8 with one of the article's left longitudinal carrying straps (FIG. 8, Item L) shown outside of the left longitudinal carrying strap compartment (FIG. 9, Item Ja).

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal-illustration view of FIG. 9 with left longitudinal carrying strap (FIG. 10, Item L) and right longitudinal carrying strap (FIG. 10, Item M) outside of the left and right longitudinal carrying strap compartments (FIG. 10, Item Ja and referenced on FIG. 10, Item F2).

FIG. 11 is a back-view illustration view of FIG. 5 with the interior lining (FIG. 5, Item 8) sealed and the article base (FIG. 5, Item F) folded along the fold line (FIG. 5, FOLD) and sealed with the base connector component (FIG. 5, Item 7) to create a back carrying bag with the article's carrying straps (FIG. 11, Items N and O) concealed within the carrying strap compartment (FIG. 11, Item Ja).

FIG. 12 is an alternate illustration of FIG. 11 with the carrying straps shown outside of the carrying strap compartment (FIG. 12, Item Ja) and attached to the carrying strap hooks (FIG. 12, Items R and S) via the attachment clasps (FIG. 12, Items P and Q).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings intended to describe an illustrative embodiment of the invention without limiting the invention thereto, FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 illustrate the front and back-views of two alternate designs of the illustrative embodiment in the unfurled state. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 represent the illustrative embodiment with a hood component and sleeves, while FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 represent the illustrative embodiment with a pillow component (excluding the hood component and sleeves shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). In this form, the illustrative embodiment has a generally rectangular shape and includes an attached front, back, top and bottom sides that are connected by any known method in the industry, flexible in nature and combine to make a three-dimensional blanket that encapsulates the wear's body in non-limiting dimensions, shapes and sizes.

FIG. 1 illustrates the front-side of the illustrative embodiment, in the unfurled state, as having a central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 that acts as the key article for encapsulating the wearer's body and is the primary location for the attachment of the article's other functional components. The front of the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 is seen as having two equally-portioned halves FIG. 1, Items 5 a and 5 b that are vertically divided by a connector component FIG. 1, Item 6. The connector component FIG. 1, Item 6 is illustrated here as a zipper. However, this item can take the form of any similarly functioning item known to the industry, such as but not limited to buttons, fasteners, clips, Velcro™. Embedded within the shown zipper connector component FIG. 1, Item 6 is the connector component zipper slider/pull tab assembly FIG. 1, Item A that pulls upward and downward along the connector component FIG. 1, Item 6 to create or break the encapsulating seal around the wearer's body and arms. The encapsulating seal created by the connector component FIG. 1, Item 6 produces a head opening FIG. 1, Item 2 at the top of the article, from which the wear's head and neck protrudes. Attached to the upper portion of the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 is an optional hood component FIG. 1, Item 1 that is affixed to the back-side of the central body FIG. 1, Item 5 and is intended to be worn over the wearer's head. Additionally, the hood compartment is attached to the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 by any known method in the industry. Also included in the upper-portion of the top of the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 are arm sleeve coverings FIG. 1, Items 3 and 4 for use as barriers around the wearer's left and right arms. The arm sleeve coverings FIG. 1, Item 3 and 4 are affixed to the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 by any known method in the industry and in a manner in which one of the arm sleeve coverings FIG. 1, Item 3 is attached to the adjacent central body form half FIG. 1, Item 5 a; whilst the other arm sleeve covering FIG. 1, Item 4 is attached to the remaining half of the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 b. Affixed to the lower portion of the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 is the article's body form base FIG. 1, Item F that acts as a platform upon which the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 can be folded upon prior to being converted into a personal accessory and that acts as an encapsulating seal of the wearer's lower body. The body form base FIG. 1, Item F can be attached to the lower portion of the body form FIG. 1, Item 5 by any method known in the industry. While shown here attached to the lower portion of the central body FIG. 5, Item 5, the site where the body form base FIG. 1, Item F is affixed to the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 can be adjusted. For instance, the lower portion of the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 can be extended so that it creates the enclosure around the lower portion of the wearer's body and the body form base FIG. 1, Item F (along with the associated base connector FIG. 1, Item 7 and the interior lining FIG. 1, Item 8) can be positioned anywhere along a portion of the attached, rear facing side of the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5. The body form base FIG. 1, Item F is seen as having two base form halves FIG. 1, Items F1 and F2. When in the folded, compact state, these base form halves FIG. 1, Items F1 and F2 act as the outer-most visible portion of the article. Affixed between the seams of the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 and the body form base FIG. 1, Item F is the article's interior lining FIG. 1, Item 8 that keeps the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5, along with any attached components, concealed and in place once it has been folded upon the body form base FIG. 1, Item F. The interior lining FIG. 1, Item 8 runs along the full circumference of the outer perimeter of the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 and is characterized by an interior lining connector component FIG. 1, Item 9. The interior lining connector component FIG. 1, Item 9 runs along the upper edge of the interior lining FIG. 1, Item 8 and is used to seal the interior lining FIG. 1, Item 8 when the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 and its attached components are folded and concealed under it. Illustrated here as a zipper, the interior lining connector component FIG. 1, Item 9 can take the form of any similarly functioning item known to the industry, such as but not limited to buttons, fasteners, clips or Velcro™. Attached to the outer edge of the body form base FIG. 1, Item F is the base connector component FIG. 1, Item 7. This item acts as the connecting component that converts the folded central body form FIG. 1, Item 5, along with any attached components, into one of the personal accessories noted in the non-limiting, aforementioned list (e.g.: a pillow, bag or backpack). Illustrated here as a zipper, the base connector component FIG. 1, Item 7 can take the form of any similarly functioning item known to the industry, which includes but is not limited to buttons, fasteners, clips, Velcro™. The shown zipper base connector component FIG. 1, Item 7 is outfitted with two base connector component zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 1, Item B and C, used for creating and breaking the seal made by the base connector component FIG. 1, Item 7. To adjust the article to its compact, personal accessory state the central body form FIG. 1, Item 5 along with any attached components, is folded upon itself in the direction depicted by the fold arrow FIG. 1, FOLD ARROW, until it reaches the body form base FIG. 1, Item F. Once folded upon the body form base FIG. 1, Item F, the opening in the interior lining FIG. 1, Item 8 is sealed, the two halves of the body form base FIGS. 1, F1 and F2 are fold in half along the dashed vertical fold line FIG. 1, FOLD and the base connector component FIG. 1, Item 7 is sealed—securing the article in its compact, personal accessory state. When in this folded, compact state, the base form halves FIG. 1, Items F1 and F2 become the outer-most visible portion of the article.

FIG. 2 depicts the back-side view of FIG. 1. The central body form FIG. 2, Item 5 takes a shape that mirrors the front-view illustration shown in FIG. 1. The top portion of the article includes the head opening FIG. 2, Item 2, the attached arm sleeve coverings FIG. 2, Item 3 and 4 as well as the hood component FIG. 2, Item 1. The hood component is attached to the back-side of the central body form FIG. 2, Item 5 from within a hood compartment that can be made from any material known to the industry and affixed by any method known to the industry. While not visible from this view, the hood compartment is useful for storing and concealing the hood component, when folded upon itself and not in use by the wearer. Similar to the front-side view in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 illustrates the lower portion of the central body form FIG. 2, Item 5 with the body form base FIG. 2, Item F that acts as the lower seal for the encapsulation of the wearer's lower body. Again, while shown here attached to the lower portion of the article, the site where the body form base FIG. 2, Item F is affixed to the central body form FIG. 2, Item 5 can be adjusted. For instance, the lower portion of the central body form FIG. 2, Item 5 can be extended so that it creates the enclosure around the lower portion of the wearer's body and the body form base FIG. 2, Item F can be positioned anywhere on the central body form FIG. 2, Item 5 along with the associated base connector FIG. 2, Item 7 and the interior lining FIG. 2, Item 8. The body form base FIG. 2, Item F is attached or fixed to the body form FIG. 2, Item 5 by any method known in the industry and is seen as having two base form halves FIG. 2, Items F1 and F2. When in the folded, compact state, these base form halves FIG. 2, Items F1 and F2 act as the outer-most visible portion of the article. Affixed between the seams of the central body form FIG. 2, Item 5 and the body form base FIG. 2, Item F is the article's interior lining FIG. 2, Item 8 that acts as a covering that keeps the central body form FIG. 2, Item 5, along with any attached components, concealed and in place once it has been folded upon the body form base FIG. 2, Item F. The interior lining FIG. 2, Item 8 runs along the full circumference of the central body form FIG. 2, Item 5 and is characterized by an interior lining connector component FIG. 2, Item 9. The interior lining connector component FIG. 2, Item 9 runs along the upper portion of the interior lining FIG. 2, Item 8 and is used to seal the interior lining FIG. 2, Item 8 when the central body form FIG. 2, Item 5 and its attached components are folded and concealed under it. Illustrated here as a zipper, the interior lining connector component FIG. 2, Item 9 can take the form of any similarly functioning item known to the industry, such as but not limited to buttons, fasteners, clips or Velcro™. Attached to the outer edge of the body form base FIG. 2, Item F is the base connector component FIG. 2, Item 7. This item acts as the connecting component that converts the folded central body form FIG. 2, Item 5, along with any attached components, into one of the personal accessories noted in the non-limiting, aforementioned list. Illustrated here as a zipper, the base connector component FIG. 2, Item 7 can take the form of any similarly functioning item known to the industry, which includes but is not limited to buttons, fasteners, clips, Velcro™. The shown zipper base connector component FIG. 2, Item 7 is outfitted with two base connector component zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 2, Item B and C, used for creating and breaking the seal made by the base connector component FIG. 2, Item 7. To adjust the article to its compact, personal accessory state the central body form FIG. 2, Item 5 along with any attached components, is folded upon itself in the direction depicted by the fold arrow FIG. 2, FOLD ARROW, until it reaches the body form base FIG. 2, Item F. Once folded upon the body form base FIG. 2, Item F, the opening in the interior lining FIG. 2, Item 8 is sealed, the two halves of the body form base FIG. 2, F1 and F2 are fold in half along the dashed vertical fold line FIG. 2, FOLD and the base connecting component FIG. 2, Item 7 is sealed—securing the article in its compact, personal accessory state. When in this folded, compact state, the base form halves FIG. 2, Items F1 and F2 become the outer-most visible portion of the article.

FIG. 3 depicts a front-view of an alternate version of the illustrative embodiment while in the unfurled state. This variation shows the central body form FIG. 3, Item 5 excluding the hood component FIG. 1, Item 1 and arm sleeve coverings FIG. 1, Items 3 and 4, whilst incorporating variations such as the pillow component FIG. 3, Item 11 that acts as an element for resting the wearer's head upon and the pillow connector component FIG. 3, Item 12 that is used to remove or re-attach the pillow component FIG. 3, Item 11. The pillow connector component FIG. 3, Item 12 is affixed to the central body form FIG. 3, Item 5 using any known method in the industry. Depicted here as a zipper, the pillow connector component FIG. 3, Item 12 can take the form of any similarly functioning item known to the industry (including but not limited to buttons, fasteners, clips, Velcro™). As detailed in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, this version of the article is also characterized by a head opening FIG. 3, Item 2; a front connector component FIG. 3, Item 6; a central body form FIG. 3, Item 5; two central body form halves FIG. 3, Items 5 a and 5 b; an interior lining FIG. 3, Item 8; a body form base FIG. 3, Item F; two body form base halves FIG. 3, Items F1 and F2; a base connector component FIG. 3, Item 7; a connector component zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 3, Item B and C and an interior lining connector component FIG. 3, Item 9 which are all used in the previously mentioned manners, methods and locations noted for FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Again, to adjust the article to its compact, personal accessory state, the central body form FIG. 3, Item 5 along with any attached components, is folded upon itself in the direction depicted by the fold arrow FIG. 3, FOLD ARROW, until it reaches the body form base FIG. 3, Item F. Once folded upon the body form base FIG. 3, Item F, the opening in the interior lining FIG. 3, Item 8 is sealed, the two halves of the body form base FIGS. 3, F1 and F2 are fold in half along the dashed vertical fold line FIG. 3, FOLD and the base connecting component FIG. 3, Item 7 is sealed—securing the article in its compact, personal accessory state. When in this folded, compact state, the base form halves FIG. 3, Items F1 and F2 become the outer-most visible portion of the article.

FIG. 4 illustrates the back-side view of FIG. 3. Elements visible from this perspective include the pillow component FIG. 4, Item 11; pillow connector component FIG. 4, Item 12; central body form FIG. 4, Item 5; interior lining FIG. 4, Item 8; body form base FIG. 4, Item F; two body form base halves FIG. 4, Items F1 and F2; base connector component FIG. 4, Item 7; interior lining connector component FIG. 4, Item 9 and two base connector zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 4, Items B and C. Each of these elements is used in the same manners, methods and locations mentioned for FIG. 1 through FIG. 3. As noted for FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, to adjust the article to its compact, personal accessory state the central body form FIG. 4, Item 5 along with any attached components, is folded upon itself in the direction depicted by the fold arrow FIG. 4, FOLD ARROW, until it reaches the body form base FIG. 4, Item F. Once folded upon the body form base FIG. 4, Item F, the opening in the interior lining FIG. 4, Item 8 is sealed, the two halves of the body form base FIGS. 4, F1 and F2 are fold in half along the dashed vertical fold line FIG. 4, FOLD and the base connecting component FIG. 4, Item 7 is sealed—securing the article in its compact, personal accessory state. When in this folded, compact state, the base form halves FIG. 4, Items F1 and F2 become the outer-most visible portion of the article.

FIG. 5 through FIG. 13 depict the article in the folded or fully-converted state. In these forms, the article can take on a number of varying shapes or structures that include but are not limited to rectangular, square, oval, etc. Additionally, in these states the article consists of front, back, top and bottom sides that are connected by any known method in the industry, are flexible in nature and combine to create non-limiting dimensions that can vary in size. In the fully converted state, the article transforms to create one of a series of personal accessories which include but are not limited to a decorative pillow, sleeping pillow, shoulder-carrying bag, garment or back-carrying bag, stuffed animal, stuffed doll, stuffed toy, etc.

FIG. 5 shows the top-view perspective of the article, while in the folded and pre-converted state. In this state, the central body form FIG. 5, Item 5 (along with any attached components detailed in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4) has been repeatedly folded upon itself, toward the base of the article and positioned under the interior lining FIG. 5, Item 8. From this position a clear view of the article's interior lining cover FIG. 5, Item 10 can be seen. The interior lining cover FIG. 5, Item 10 connects with the main body of the interior lining FIG. 5, Item 8 to form a sealed covering over the folded central body form FIG. 5, Item 5. This seal between the interior lining cover FIG. 5, Item 10 and the interior lining FIG. 5, Item 8 is manipulated by moving the interior lining cover FIG. 5, Item 10 in the direction depicted by the arrow FIG. 5, ARROW and then by pulling the interior lining zipper slider/pull tab assembly FIG. 5, Item T along the interior lining connector component FIG. 5, Item 9. The interior lining connector component FIG. 5, Item 9 runs along the inner perimeter edge of the main body of the interior lining FIG. 5, Item 8 and the outer perimeter edge of the interior lining cover FIG. 5, Item 10. The interior lining connector component FIG. 5, Item 9 functions by unsealing the opening between the interior lining cover FIG. 5, Item 10 and the interior lining FIG. 5, Item 8 or by sealing the opening between the interior lining cover FIG. 5, Item 10 and the interior lining FIG. 5, Item 8. Once set in motion, the seal made by the interior lining connector component FIG. 5, Item 9 secures in place and conceals the folded central body form FIG. 5, Item 5 (along with any attached components). While shown here as a zipper, the interior lining connector component FIG. 5, Item 9 can take the form of any similarly functioning item known to the industry, such as but not limited to buttons, fasteners, clips, Velcro™. Once the central body form FIG. 5, Item 5 has been secured in place by the seal of the interior lining connector component FIG. 5, Item 9, the article can be folded in half and upon itself along the FIG. 5, FOLD line to convert into a compact, easy to store personal accessory. Folding the article in this manner bisects the base form FIG. 5, Item F in width and allows the outward-halves of the base form (noted by sections to the right and left of the FIG. 5, FOLD line) to act as the outer-most visible portions of the article, when in the compact form. To adjust and keep the article in the compact form, the base connector component zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 5, Items B and C are pulled along the base connector component FIG. 5, Item 7 until they create a seal. While the illustration here depicts the base connector component FIG. 5, Item 7 as a zipper, it should be noted that this element can take the form of any similarly functioning item including, but not limited to buttons, fasteners, clips, Velcro™.

FIG. 6 depicts a view of FIG. 5 when folded in the compact, personal accessory form of a pillow. Although illustrated here by a square shape, the dimension, size and shape of the pillow should all be considered non-limiting. From this perspective, the article is sealed and positioned in the upright stance, with one portion of the outer-side of the now folded base form half FIG. 6, Item F1 in primary view. The base connector component FIG. 6, Item 7 extends along the outer edges of the upright article. The base connector component FIG. 6, Item 7 maintains a seal around the compact form by pulling both base connector component zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 6, Item B and C along the connector component FIG. 6, Item 7 until both slider/pull tab assemblies are situated next to each other. The arrow ARROW—FIG. 6, Item F2, refers to the equally-proportioned, reverse view of this illustration which consists of the outward facing, base form half FIG. 6, Item F2. From this perspective FIG. 6, Item F2 is a proportionally-sized mirror image of FIG. 6, Item F1 and includes reference to all components noted on FIG. 6, Item F1 (such as the base connector component, base connector component track heads, etc.). Furthermore, base form half FIG. 6, Item F2 can also contain additional components that vary from those found on the opposite base form half FIG. 6, Item F1 (such as additional pockets, compartments, etc.).

FIG. 7 details a side-view of FIG. 6. From this orientation, what is primarily visible is a portion of one of the upright base form halves FIG. 7, Item F1. The base connector component FIG. 7, Item 7 lines the visible outer edges of the article. As the connector component FIG. 7, Item 7 is illustrated here as a zipper, it is also accompanied by base connector zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 7, Items B and C which move along the base connector component FIG. 7, Item 7 to open or close the seal around the article while it's in its compact form. The arrow ARROW—FIG. 7, Item F2, refers to the equally-proportioned, reverse view of this illustration which consists of the outward facing, base component half FIG. 7, Item F2. From this perspective FIG. 7, Item F2 is a proportionally-sized mirror image of FIG. 7, Item F1 and includes reference to all components noted on FIG. 7, Item F1, such as the base connector component, base connector component track heads, etc. Furthermore, the base form half FIG. 7, Item F2 can also contain additional components that vary from those found on the opposite base form half FIG. 7, Item F1 (such as additional pockets, compartments, etc.)

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of FIG. 5 when folded into the compact form of a shoulder carrying bag. From this perspective a full view of one half of the folded base form FIG. 8, Item F1 can be seen in the upright position with carrying strap FIG. 8, Item L concealed within the carrying strap compartment FIG. 8, Item Ja. The carrying strap compartment FIG. 8, Item Ja is affixed to the base component half FIG. 8, F1 by any method known in the industry. The carrying strap compartment FIG. 8, Item Ja can be flexible or rigid in nature and made of any known fabric including but not limited to cotton, microfiber, polyester, minky fabric or wool. The carrying strap FIG. 8, Item L is affixed to the inner-interior of the carrying strap compartment FIG. 8, Item Ja by any method known in the industry and can also be made of any known fabric, including those noted above. Shown here as a zipper, the strap compartment connector component FIG. 8, Item I uses the strap compartment connector zipper slider/pull tab assembly FIG. 8, Item K to open and close a seal that allows the carrying strap FIG. 8, Item L to be either removed for use or conveniently stored within the strap carrying compartment FIG. 8, Item Ja. Similar to other connector components used in this article, the strap compartment connector component FIG. 8, Item I can take the form of any similarly functioning item, including but not limited to buttons, fasteners, clips, Velcro™, etc. Additionally, while illustrated here at the top of the strap carrying compartment FIG. 8, Item Ja, the strap compartment connector component FIG. 8, Item I and the strap compartment connector slider/pull tab assembly FIG. 8, Item K can be placed in alternate orientations, including on the left, right or bottom of the base form halves FIG. 8, Item F1 and Item F2. The base connector component zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 8, Items B and C are shown at the top of the illustration in the sealed position. The base connector component FIG. 8, Item 7 maintains the seal around the perimeter of the article by pulling one or both the base connector component slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 8, Items B and C along the base connector component FIG. 8, Item 7 until both pieces meet at the top of or on the sides of the article. While depicted here as a zipper, the base connector component FIG. 8, Item 7 can take the form of any similarly functioning item known to the industry, including but not limited to a series of snap fasteners, a series of buttons, Velcro™, etc.). The arrow ARROW—FIG. 8, Item F2, references the equally-proportioned, reverse view of this illustration which consists of the outward facing, base form half FIG. 8, Item F2. From this perspective FIG. 8, Item F2 is a proportionally-sized mirror image of FIG. 8, Item F1 and contains all of the components noted on FIG. 8, Item F1, such as the carrying strap compartment, carrying strap, carrying strap connector component, etc. Furthermore, base form half FIG. 8, Item F2 can also contain additional components that vary from those found on the opposite base form half FIG. 8, Item F1 (such as additional pockets, compartments, etc.)

FIG. 9 shows details of FIG. 8 with the carrying strap FIG. 9, Item L removed from the strap compartment FIG. 9, Item Ja. From this perspective, the carrying strap connector zipper slider/pull tab assembly FIG. 9, Item K is shown in the open position, allowing the carry strap connector component FIG. 9, Item I to be unsealed. While depicted here as a zipper, the carry strap connector component FIG. 9, Item I can take the form of any closure device known to the industry, including but not limited to a series of snap fasteners, a series of buttons, Velcro™, etc. The carrying strap compartment FIG. 9, Item Ja is affixed to the base component half FIG. 9, F1 by any method known in the industry. The carrying strap compartment FIG. 9, Item Ja can be flexible or rigid in nature and made of any known fabric including but not limited cotton, microfiber, polyester, minky fabric or wool. The carrying strap FIG. 9, Item L is affixed to the interior of the carrying strap compartment FIG. 9, Item Ja by any method known in the industry and can also be made of any known fabric, including those noted above. Shown here as a zipper, the strap compartment connector component FIG. 9, Item I uses the strap compartment connector slider/pull tab assembly FIG. 9, Item K to open and close a seal that allows the carrying strap FIG. 9, Item L to be either removed for use or conveniently stored within the strap compartment FIG. 9, Item Ja. Additionally, while illustrated here at the top of the strap carrying compartment FIG. 9, Item Ja, the strap compartment connector component FIG. 9, Item I and the strap compartment connector zipper slider/pull tab assembly FIG. 9, Item K can be placed in alternate orientations, including on the left, right or bottom of the article base form half FIG. 9, Item F1. The base connector component zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 9, Items B and C are shown at the top of the illustration in the sealed position. The base connector component FIG. 9, Item 7 maintains the seal around the perimeter of the article by pulling one or both the base connector component zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 9, Items B and C along the base connector component FIG. 9, Item 7 until both pieces meet (for example at the top of the article as shown). While depicted here as a zipper, the base connector component FIG. 9, Item 7 can take the form of any similarly functioning item known to the industry, including but not limited to a series of snap fasteners, a series of buttons, Velcro™, etc. The arrow ARROW—FIG. 9, Item F2, references the attached, reverse view of this illustration which consists of the outward facing, base component half FIG. 9, Item F2. From this perspective FIG. 9, Item F2 is a proportionally-sized mirror image of FIG. 9, Item F1 and contains all of the components noted on FIG. 9, Item F1, such as the carrying strap compartment, carrying strap, carrying strap connector component, etc. Furthermore, base form half FIG. 9, Item F2 can also contain additional components that vary from those found on the opposite base form half FIG. 9, Item F1 (such as additional pockets, compartments, etc.)

FIG. 10 depicts a side-view of FIG. 9 with both carrying straps FIG. 10, Items L and M removed from the strap compartments FIG. 10, Item Ja and Jb located respectively on both sides of the base form halves FIG. 10, Items F1 and F2. Note that FIG. 10, Item Jb is a mirror image of FIG. 10, Item Ja (including associated items, such as the connector component and the strap compartment connector slider/pull tab assembly) located on the base form half FIG. 10. Item F2 which is the equally-proportioned, mirror image, opposite side of the article—not visible in this illustration but referenced by ARROW—FIG. 10, Item F2. Base form half FIG. 10, Item F2 can contain additional components that vary from those found on the opposite base form half FIG. 10, Item F1 (such as additional pockets, compartments, etc.). The strap compartment connector component FIG. 10, Item I can be seen unsealed with the strap compartment connector zipper slider/pull tab assembly FIG. 10, Item K in the open position. Also, visible from this view is a portion of the sealed base connector component FIG. 10, Item 7.

FIG. 11 illustrates a view of FIG. 5 when folded into the compact form of a back carrying bag. From this perspective, one half of the base form FIG. 11, Item F1 can be seen in the upright position. Similar to the other compact forms, the base connector component FIG. 11, Item 7 maintains the seal around the perimeter of the article by pulling the base connector component zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 11, Items B and C along the base connector component FIG. 11, Item 7 until both pieces meet at the top or sides of the article. While depicted here as a zipper, the base connector component FIG. 11, Item 7 can take the form of any similarly functioning item known to the industry, including but not limited to a series of snap fasteners, a series of buttons, Velcro™, etc. From this perspective, a full view of one half of the base form FIG. 11, Item F1 can be seen in the upright position with a detailed observation of the carrying straps FIG. 11, Items N and O which are concealed within a strap compartment FIG. 11, Item Ja. The carrying strap compartment FIG. 11, Item Ja is affixed to the base form half FIG. 11, F1 by any method known in the industry. The carrying strap compartment FIG. 11, Item Ja can be flexible or rigid in nature and made of any known fabric including but not limited cotton, microfiber, polyester, minky fabric or wool. The carrying straps FIG. 11, Items N and O are affixed to the inner-interior of the carrying strap compartment FIG. 11, Item Ja by any method known in the industry and can also be made of any known fabric, including those noted above. Attached to the lower end of both carrying straps FIG. 11, Items N and O are attachment clasps FIG. 11, Items P and Q. When removed from the strap compartment FIG. 11, Item Ja, the attachment clasps FIG. 11, Items P and Q lock on to their respective outer attachment rings FIG. 11, Items R and S to form arm straps that allow the article to be worn as a back carrying bag, such as a book bag or backpack. Shown here as a zipper, the strap compartment connector component FIG. 11, Item I uses the strap compartment connector zipper slider/pull tab assembly FIG. 11, Item K to open and close a seal that allows the carrying straps FIG. 11, Items N and O to be either removed for use or conveniently stored within strap compartment FIG. 11, Item Ja. Similar to other connector components used in this article, the strap compartment connector component FIG. 11, Item I can take the form of any similarly functioning item, including but not limited to buttons, fasteners, clips, Velcro™. Additionally, while illustrated here at the top of the strap carrying compartment FIG. 11, Item Ja, the strap compartment connector component FIG. 11, Item I and the strap compartment connector zipper slider/pull tab assembly FIG. 11, Item K can be placed in alternate orientations, including on the left, right or bottom. The arrow ARROW—FIG. 11, Item F2, references the attached, equally-proportioned, reverse view of this illustration which consists of the outward facing, base form half FIG. 11, Item F2. While an exact match in proportion and dimension to the opposite base form half FIG. 11, Item F1, FIG. 11 Item F2 may contain components that vary from those found on FIG. 11, Item F1, such as multiple pockets and compartments, no pockets or components, a mirror image of strap compartment FIG. 11, Item Ja, etc.

FIG. 12 details FIG. 11 with the carrying straps FIG. 12, Items N and O removed from the strap compartment FIG. 12, Item Ja. From this perspective the carrying strap connector zipper slider/pull tab assembly FIG. 12, Item K is shown in the open position, allowing the carry strap connector component FIG. 12, Item I to be unsealed. While depicted here as a zipper, the carry strap connector component FIG. 12, Item I can take the form of any closure element known to the industry, including but not limited to a series of snap fasteners, a series of buttons, Velcro™, etc. Shown here in the open position, the carry strap connector component FIG. 12, Item I allows for the carrying straps FIG. 12, Item N and O to be removed from the strap compartment FIG. 12, Item Ja. The attachment clasps FIG. 12, Items P and Q are shown locked on to their respective outer attachment rings FIG. 12, Items R and S to form arm straps that allow the article to be worn as a back carrying bag, such as a book bag or backpack. From this perspective FIG. 12, Item F1 shows the base connector component FIG. 12, Items B and C in the sealed position. The seal around the perimeter of the article is maintained by pulling one or both of the base connector component zipper slider/pull tab assemblies FIG. 12, Items B and C along the base connector component FIG. 12, Item 7 until both pieces meet at the top or sides of the article. The arrow ARROW—FIG. 12, Item F2, references the attached, equally-proportioned, reverse view of this illustration which consists of the outward facing, base form half FIG. 12, Item F2. While an exact match in proportion and dimension to FIG. 12, Item F1, FIG. 12, Item F2 may contain components that vary from those found on FIG. 12, Item F1, such as multiple pockets and compartments, no pockets or components, a mirror image of strap compartment FIG. 12, Item Ja, etc. 

I claim:
 1. A collapsible personal blanket covering that folds into a personal accessory, comprising: a central body having a head opening at a top end, a lower perimeter at a bottom end, and a front opening extending down a front of the central body from the head opening to a base near a bottom of the central body, said front opening separating the front of the central body into two sections; a front connector component affixed to facing vertically-extending edges of the two separable front sections of the central body and arranged to attach the vertically-extending edges of the two sections to each other and close the opening when connected, and to enable separation of the edges of the two sections from each other when disconnected; an interior lining affixed to the base and central body, said interior lining including an interior lining main body and an interior lining cover joined to the interior lining by an interior lining connector extending around a portion of an outer perimeter of the interior lining cover, wherein when said portion of the outer perimeter of the interior lining cover is disconnected from the interior lining main body, an interior lining opening is formed; the base affixed to and extending around a portion of the central body and the lower perimeter of the interior lining; and a base connector extending around a perimeter of the base and having first and second base connector components, wherein: when in an unfurled state with the front connector component closing the front opening, the central body and base form an article that encapsulates at least a user's torso and legs while the user's head extends through the head opening and the user's arms extend either through arm openings or an enlarged version of the head opening, and when in an adjusted state, the central body folds into the base through said interior lining opening, the portion of the outer perimeter of the interior lining cover is joined to a corresponding portion of an inner perimeter of the interior lining main body by the interior lining connector to enclose the central body that has been folded into the base, and the base is further foldable along a fold line that bisects the base such that the two components of the base connector face each other and are connected by the base connector to form said personal accessory.
 2. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the personal accessory formed in the furled state is a pillow.
 3. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 2, wherein said base connector components form a closure for said pillow.
 4. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the personal accessory formed in the furled state is a rolled-up or folded sleeping bag.
 5. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 4, wherein said base connector components form a closure for said sleeping bag.
 6. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the personal accessory formed in the furled state is one of a tote bag or back carrying bag.
 7. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 6, wherein said base connector components form a closure for said tote bag or back carrying bag.
 8. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central body includes sleeve openings on two sides, and further comprising sleeves attached to the central body at the sleeve openings.
 9. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sleeves are made of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, polyester, spandex, minky fabric, fleece, and microfiber.
 10. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front connector is selected from the group consisting of a zipper, buttons, and clasps.
 11. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base connector is selected from the group consisting of a zipper, buttons, and clasps.
 12. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior lining connector is selected from the group consisting of a zipper, buttons, and clasps.
 13. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a hood/pillow component affixed to the central body at a back portion of the head opening.
 14. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 13, wherein the collapsible personal blanket forms a robe in the unfurled state and the hood/pillow component is a hood.
 15. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 14, wherein the hood component is made of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, polyester, spandex, minky fabric, fleece, and microfiber.
 16. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 13, wherein the collapsible personal blanket forms a sleeping bag in the unfurled state and the hood/pillow component is a pillow.
 17. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pillow component is made of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, polyester, spandex, minky fabric, fleece, and microfiber.
 18. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one carrying strap compartment for concealing at least one personal accessory carrying strap within the collapsible personal blanket and while in the unfurled state.
 19. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central body is made of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, polyester, spandex, minky fabric, fleece, and microfiber.
 20. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior lining is made of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, polyester, spandex, minky fabric, fleece, and microfiber.
 21. A collapsible personal blanket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base is made of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, polyester, spandex, minky fabric, fleece, and microfiber. 